The biggest difference is who you play and where the adventure takes place: Hollow Knight follows the Knight through Hallownest, while Hollow Knight: Silksong follows Hornet in an unfamiliar land. Silksong is a separate sequel, not a character add-on, and one documented movement distinction is Hornet’s ability to grab platform edges and pull herself up.
At a glance
| What differs | Hollow Knight | Hollow Knight: Silksong |
|---|---|---|
| Playable character | The Knight | Hornet |
| Setting and premise | The haunted kingdom of Hallownest | Hornet is captured and brought to an unfamiliar land; her journey is a pilgrimage toward the kingdom’s peak. |
| Movement detail | The cited comparison does not specify a corresponding Knight move. | PlayStation Blog says Hornet can grab platform edges and pull herself up. |
| Relationship | The original game; its PC release was February 24, 2017. | Team Cherry’s second game and the sequel; released across platforms. |
| Music | Soundtrack composed by Christopher Larkin. | Christopher Larkin also composes the sequel. |
Who do you play?
The original centers on the Knight, exploring Hallownest. Silksong shifts the lead role to Hornet. Team Cherry introduced Silksong as a full second game following the original, whose PC release was February 24, 2017. Team Cherry’s announcement explains the sequel’s relationship to the first game.
How do the setting and premise change?
Hallownest is the setting of the original. In Silksong, Hornet is captured and taken to an unfamiliar land. Team Cherry describes her journey there as a pilgrimage toward the kingdom’s peak. That premise establishes a new destination and journey; it does not, by itself, settle how the games’ maps compare in size or how every part of their stories connects.
What changes about movement?
A PlayStation Blog overview identifies one concrete difference: Hornet can grab platform edges and pull herself up. That supports calling out a more acrobatic movement feature, but it is not a complete accounting of either game’s controls. It also does not prove that Silksong is easier or harder overall. PlayStation Blog’s Silksong overview is the source for this specific comparison.
#1 Best Overall
![Hollow Knight: Silksong Standard - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51mOgOC8xEL._SL160_.jpg)
- Discover the fallen insect kingdom of Pharloom! Explore mossy grottos, gilded cities and misted moors as you ascend to the shining citadel at the top of the world.
- Engage in lethal acrobatic action! Wield a huge suite of deadly moves as you dance between foes in swift, beautiful combat.
- Craft powerful tools! Master an ever-expanding arsenal of weapons, traps, and mechanisms to vanquish your enemies and explore new heights.
- Solve shocking quests! Hunt down rare beasts and solve ancient mysteries to grant the wishes of the downtrodden and restore the kingdom’s hope.
- Face over 200 ferocious foes! Beasts and hunters, monsters and knights. Defeat them all with bravery and skill!
Is Silksong a sequel or an add-on?
It is a separate sequel, not simply downloadable content that adds Hornet to the original. Team Cherry describes it as its second game, and its release announcement says it is available across platforms. Team Cherry’s release announcement reflects its released status; early announcement plans should not be mistaken for its current availability.
What stays familiar?
Both games have music composed by Christopher Larkin, according to the official Silksong site, which identifies him as composer for the sequel. That is a concrete point of continuity; it does not establish that the soundtracks have the same style or structure.
Rank #2
- Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure.
- Journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover secrets tied to your nature and your past.
Which game should you play?
Choose based on the adventure you want. The original is the one set in Hallownest with the Knight at its center; Silksong is the Hornet-led sequel set in an unfamiliar land. Which protagonist, premise, or movement style appeals more is a matter of preference. The available facts here do not establish a reliable overall difficulty ranking or playtime comparison, so those should not be treated as settled differences.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What about editions and collectibles?
In a holiday 2025 post, Team Cherry said the original received updates and a Switch 2 edition, and noted Silksong mini-figurines made with Fangamer and Studio Tyto. Team Cherry’s holiday 2025 update is the basis for those details.
Rank #3
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Tightly tuned 2D controls. Dodge, dash and slash your way through even the most deadly adversaries.
- Explore a vast interconnected world of forgotten highways, overgrown wilds and ruined cities.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!.Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favourites and make your journey unique!.An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation..
A secondary report also surfaced about physical Switch 2 editions of both games, but it does not verify an official product listing or current stock. Check the exact edition, region, seller, and availability before buying; the report alone is not confirmation that a particular physical copy is currently available. The secondary report is not an official listing.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
![Hollow Knight - Nintendo Switch [Digital Code]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51nXCF+sf5L._SL160_.jpg)
- Classic side-scrolling action, with all the modern trimmings.
- Forge your own path! The world of Hallownest is expansive and open. Choose which paths you take, which enemies you face and find your own way forward.
- Evolve with powerful new skills and abilities! Gain spells, strength and speed. Leap to new heights on ethereal wings. Dash forward in a blazing flash. Blast foes with fiery Soul!
- Equip Charms! Ancient relics that offer bizarre new powers and abilities. Choose your favorites and make your journey unique!
- An enormous cast of cute and creepy characters all brought to life with traditional 2D frame-by-frame animation.
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